A Waffen SS Field Combat Fez

A Waffen SS Field Combat Fez - This fez was worn with the field gray uniform for combat operations. Fabricated from a grayish-green drab felt, a multi-strand forest green tassel attached to the top via an upright roll of felt, with two strands stitched to the reverse. The front is adorned with a BeVo silver and black weaved SS skull with an Army eagle above. Inside, there is a 26 mm wide leather sweatband stitched in place along the outer edge, the two ends of the sweatband formerly held together at the rear with a piece of reinforced white tape on the underside but has separated over time. Scattered mothing evident on the exterior, mold spots evident on the sweatband, free of discolouration, finely-detailed insignias rate excellent, better than very fine.
Footnote: This fez was worn by Bosnian Muslims who were members of the two Croatian SS Divisions (13th Handschar Waffen SS Division and the 23rd Kama Waffen SS Mountain Divisions). The name "Handschar" is a local word for the curved scimitar sword worn on the 13th Division collar patch, that unit performing anti-partisan duties in Yugoslavia.

Of fine prewar quality, this Waffen-SS visor is crafted out of very fine Mützen-Trikot (cap tricot) with a fine twill weave (Körperbindung) pattern of parallel running ribs. The piping along the crown of the cap, as well as the top and bottom edge of the cap band cloth are in a scarlet-red Artillery Waffenfarbe. The cap band cloth is short napped, with a very even feel without bumps or holes, and is crafted out of fine black velvet. The visor is made out of Vulkanfiber, lacquered on the upper, with a molded raised ridge running along the brim, with the obverse of the visor in light brown. The chin cord is crafted out of twisted silver bullion cords and are attached to the cap with one pebbled aluminum button on each side of the cap. The Waffen-SS insignia on the cap consist of the SS version of the national eagle emblem from silvered cupal, and a Totenkopf, also crafted out of silvered cupal. The inside of the cap is lined with fine light brown wool with a sewn-in diamond with the maker markings “A. Ziegler, Gingen” with size “56” underneath the maker markings. The sweatband is crafted out of brown leather that is perforated towards the front of the cap, and is well preserved. This Waffen-SS cap appears gently used, with the trikot fabric still being of very fine condition and with the piping unfaded. The inside liner exhibits some light discolouring from sweat, without major staining. The silver finishing on the original eagle and Totenkopf has started to come off through age and wear. The Totenkopf appears to have a resoldered right prong, but remains fastened properly. Overall extremely fine condition. Accompanied by an expert evaluation and guarantee of Carsten Baldes.

Footnote: The 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar was raised in France in 1943 and consisted mainly of Bosnian muslim Waffen-SS Officers and NCO’s. As an anti-partisan division, it moved east in the spring of 1933 to fight against Tito’s mainly Serb Christian partisans in Yugoslavia (Northern Bosnia). The 13. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS “Handschar” was granted an unusual concession by Heinrich Himmler to adopt the traditional fez in the form of the SS M43 fez and to continue with all religious practices. All ranks wore the fez cap; grey for field use, and burgundy for dress and ceremonial occasions. (C:100)

This Waffen-SS Officer's cap featuring a light weight trikot material, black velvet cap band, and vulkan fibrer visor. It has a white sweat stained crown along the top of the edge, flanking either side of the band. It is missing the the silver-wash Waffen-SS Totenkopf skull that was formerly placed on the black velvet cap band; however, there is a slight indentation on the band where it used to be. The cap is missing the SS Adler eagle on the front portion of the cap, but it still has slight needle holes where the original stitches were placed. The rich black velvet cap band is in excellent condition, being nearly free of wear. The aluminum chin-cords are missing, but the two grayed pebbled aluminum buttons are still in place. The vulkan fiber visor shows mild unquestionable period use. The dark brown leather sweatband is mostly deteriorated from wear and active use, with the cork backing also being deteriorated in some places. The inside of the cap is lined in what used to be champagne-coloured cotton, and is heavily stained from active use. The sweat diamond brandishing celluloid shield has been lost to time, revealing evidence of sweat staining where the dome was formerly placed. Overall, this Waffen-SS Officer's visor cap is in worn condition.
Footnote: Purchased locally, direct from the family in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Canadian soldiers following the Second War were prohibited to bring home any German items whatsoever. This visor was brought over to Canada by it's owner and family during the 1950's. We are offering this cap "as found".